Foreword

For years, I was skeptical about social media and even considered deleting my accounts. But last week, I came across an episode of the @Diary Of a CEO podcast (watch here), and it completely changed my perspective. I highly recommend checking out the podcast!

Thanks to @StevenBarlet and @Daniel Priestley, today marks the start of a new chapter in my entrepreneurial journey.

To act on the inspiration, I created this blog. I hope you find value in it, and perhaps it will inspire you too.

The Future of Work: How to Thrive in the AI and Digital Age

The Shift Between Generations

The previous generation had affordable housing, stable jobs, and great employment contracts. Today, things look very different—housing is expensive, job security is uncertain, and AI is rapidly automating roles. Many feel wiped out before they even start.

But there’s a silver lining. Unlike any other time in history, we have unlimited access to information, global connectivity, and tools that can amplify our abilities. If we leverage these opportunities, we can get ahead. This blog explores where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we’re heading.

The Evolution of Economic Ages: Technology as the Driver of Change

Imagine a marathon where two runners start together, but one has a bicycle. The cyclist pulls ahead—not because they work harder, but because they use technology to amplify their effort. The same applies to economic shifts:

Agricultural Age: Wealth was based on land ownership and farming. Those who didn’t adapt to industrialization were left behind.
Industrial Age: Factories and manufacturing dominated. Education systems were designed to produce skilled labor for these industries (and still are).
Information Age: Digital technology and data rule. Companies like Google and Amazon disrupted traditional businesses.
AI and Digital Age: Automation, remote work, and digital-first businesses are now the norm. Entrepreneurs who use AI and digital leverage will thrive.

The key lesson? Success depends on embracing new technology rather than resisting it.

What We Learned in School vs. What We Should Have Learned

The traditional education system trained us to be skilled laborers, selling time for money:

Get an education → Become skilled labor
Get a degree → Become highly skilled labor
Get a master’s → Become super-skilled labor

But the game has changed. The wealthiest and most successful people do the opposite of what school taught:

We were told to avoid disruption—yet disruptors make the most money.
We were told not to delegate—yet successful people outsource everything.
We were told not to seek attention—yet attention is the new currency.

Digital Power Shift: The Rise of Personal Brands

Just as the industrial revolution moved power from landowners to factory owners, the digital revolution has shifted influence from institutions to individuals:

Brian Cox has more followers than CERN
Richard Branson outshines Virgin
Elon Musk’s reach exceeds NASA’s

This transformation happened because of media democratization. Anyone with a smartphone can now publish content and reach millions. Not that long ago this was only possible the BBC and similar corporations.

Example: how U.S. Presidential Campaigns utilise technological trends

1930s – Franklin Roosevelt mastered radio.
1960s – JFK leveraged TV debates.
2008 – Barack Obama used social media to mobilize voters.
2016 – Donald Trump’s campaign used data-driven micro-targeting.
2024 – Long-form, unscripted podcast content became key (Trump spent 40+ hours in podcast interviews, accumulating 124M views).

For business leaders, the message is clear: Success is no longer about institutional authority—it’s about personal connection and authenticity.

Personal Brand: influencers Key Person of Influence

Influencers notoriously can’t sell anything. Many rely on self-promotion—showcasing lifestyles and possessions—often seen as narcissistic and lacking real value. People follow them just for entertainment.

In contrast, a Key Person of Influence earns trust by sharing expertise and thought leadership. They provide meaningful content that educates and inspires rather than seeking attention.

Idea Promotion – Sharing knowledge via books, podcasts, and content.
Deficiency Promotion – Relating through personal struggles.
Self-Promotion – Flashy, attention-seeking content with little value.

KPIs focus on trust and credibility, needing only an engaged audience—not millions of followers.

Building Your Personal Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide

A personal brand establishes trust, attracts opportunities, and differentiates you from others. Unlike a corporate brand, a personal brand stays with you for life.

Traditional Brand vs. Personal Brand:

Feature	Traditional Brand	Personal Brand
Trust	Built over time through marketing	Built through direct engagement
Adaptability	Slow to shift	Can evolve quickly
Connection	Transactional	Emotional and personal
Cost	High marketing costs	Low-cost organic reach
Authority	Built via PR	Strengthened through thought leadership

Steps to Build Your Brand:

Define Your Niche – Identify what makes you unique.
Create Valuable Content – Share insights via blogs, podcasts, and videos.
Be Consistent – Engage regularly.
Leverage Multiple Platforms – LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
Network Strategically – Connect with industry leaders.

The 5Ps Framework for Thriving in the Digital Age

Daniel Priestley introduces the 5Ps framework for becoming a “Key Person of Influence”:

Pitch – Clearly communicate your value.
Publish – Share your knowledge through content (books, blogs, social media).
Product – Turn expertise into scalable assets (courses, software, memberships).
Profile – Build a recognizable personal brand.
Partnerships – Leverage relationships to grow.

Success today isn’t about just being good at your job—it’s about being known for your expertise and having scalable assets.

The Science of Sales & Pitching: The CAPSTONE Method

Sales is the lifeblood of any business. Entrepreneurs must be great at pitching. Some of the best-known entrepreneurs mastered unique pitching styles:

Mark Zuckerberg – Primarily uses video to communicate his vision, keeping things simple and focused on Facebook’s role in connecting people.
Steve Jobs – Master of live stage presentations, using dramatic pauses, minimalist slides, and compelling storytelling to captivate audiences.
Elon Musk – Uses a mix of technical deep dives, humor, and ambitious future visions to engage investors and the public, often utilizing both live events and video formats.

Understanding and refining your own pitch style is crucial to success.

The CAPSTONE Method helps craft compelling pitches:

Clarity – Communicate your message simply.
Authority – Establish credibility.
Problem-Solution – Address a clear pain point.
Storytelling – Make it engaging.
Transformation – Show the impact.
Opportunity – Offer a clear next step.
Next Steps – Provide a call to action.
Emotion – Leave a lasting impression.

Testing Business Ideas: The Fastest Way to Validate Demand

Many entrepreneurs waste time on ideas that lack demand. The best way to test an idea? Get a waiting list!

Step-by-Step Validation:

Create a landing page (tools: Carrd, WordPress).
Add a waiting list signup.
Promote for free (social media, Reddit, LinkedIn).
Analyze data – If 100+ signups come quickly, proceed; if not, pivot.

Example: Elon Musk collected thousands of pre-orders for the Tesla Cybertruck before manufacturing began.

The 7/11/4 Rule: How to Build Trust and Influence

Create a strong connection with your audience. An effective way is by forming parasocial relationships—one-sided emotional bonds. Movie stars illustrate this well; audiences feel they know actors like Tom Cruise or Jennifer Lawrence after watching their films, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.

This aligns with the 7/11/4 rule, which suggests familiarity and trust develop after 7 hours of engagement, 11 interactions, and exposure across 4 platforms.

7 hours of engagement
11 interactions
Exposure across 4 platforms

This is why businesses should create:

Long-form content (podcasts, blogs, books)
Mid-length content (YouTube, articles)
Short content (tweets, TikTok, Instagram Reels)

How to Stand Out: Key Strategies

To capture attention and stand out in a crowded digital landscape, consider these strategies:

Strategy	Description
Be Scary	Fear-based messaging grabs attention, like sensational news headlines.
Be Strange	Unconventional approaches create memorable impressions.
Be Sexy	Aspirational branding attracts engagement.
Provide Free Value	Offering valuable insights builds trust.
Be Familiar	Consistency across platforms keeps you top-of-mind.

LinkedIn & YouTube Creator Engagement (Bar Chart Idea)

Platform	Total Users	Active Creators
LinkedIn	900M+	3% create content, 1% post weekly
YouTube	2.7B+	4% have accounts, fewer upload consistently

By leveraging these principles, you can differentiate yourself and create a lasting impact in your industry.

Final Thoughts: The Future Belongs to Those Who Adapt

We are at the start of the AI revolution. Just like electricity took 100 years to power everyday appliances, AI is still in its infancy. The winners will be those who embrace it early.

Rather than resisting change, learn how to use AI, digital tools, and personal branding to gain an unfair advantage. The choice is yours: Will you be the marathon runner, or will you grab the bicycle?

Take action today, because the future rewards those who adapt.

Blog